Issue with Rear Glass Installation after Fire Repair - pic on pg. 3

I thought maybe you parked next to a Chevy Volt, that sucks to see that happened but glad it wasn't worse.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDF8yAjDHg4
Either memorize this song for emergencies, or
carry a fire extinguisher. for emergencies

 

What the connection between the ac being on and vehicles catching fire?

 

I reckon it makes the engine hotter, or by turning it off gives it a bit of power, ... when it's 110+ and you're straining the engine and using
every resource available ( full A/C etc ) I suppose it is conducive to making the engine catch. Who knows I don't chance it.

Per post online:
The A/C condenser in front of the radiator is a big heat generator and removes heat from your vehicle and deposits the hot air in front of the radiator. The A/C pump also puts an additional load on your engine.
So the additional heat from the A/C condenser, load form the A/C compressor and the load from going up the hill generates a lot more heat that your cooling system can't get rid of so your car can overheat going up steep hills. Thus the sign warning to turn off A/C. It isn't as much of an issue on modern well maintained vehicles especially if you aren't towing anything.

 

Talk about totally random guess you never have to worry about this happening again. Glad it turned out ok for you.

 

I hear you. I got a cement taco in case I'm following a cement truck that has some type of failure in the cement delivery system. You gotta think of these possible scenarios and be prepared. Also, I carry a fire extinguisher.

 

Watch out for those oil trucks, you'll never get the stains out...

 

That won't cause a fire, it will just cause the engine to overheat and blow a head gasket.

 

I'm not mechanically inclined - but there seems to be a correlation between those steep inclines, 110+ degree weather, and cars-a-fire.
An overheated engine, blowing up, pulled to the side of the road, where dry grasses may make their way onto some super hot parts,
could start it I guess.

 

I was coming up a long grade one time in a Dodge Nitro and a plastic bag got sucked up into the air intake. Lost about all power but luckily got off to the side of the road. Really strange, never even heard of that happening before or since.

 

Catalytic converters get hot and catch dry grass on fire.

 

Reminds me of the one time in my younger days driving a cab over Isuzu box truck for work. Was headed back to the shop on a Sunday afternoon after doing a pick-up, and noticed the needle on the fuel gauge dropping at an alarming rate.

Alarming in that I could literally watch it move, went from a 1/2 tank to a 1/4 in about 3 miles, at which point thankfully there was a rest stop and I pulled over. The old girl was smoking, I lifted the cab but couldn't see anything obviously wrong. Then I turned it on and diesel was spurting like an artery from the fuel rail all over the hot engine.

Shut it off and called my boss, that motherfucker had the audacity to ask me to FILL IT UP AND TRY AND MAKE IT BACK. I told him I wasn't driving it another inch, and ended up having my dad come pick us up because that piece of shit boss wouldn't come get us.

I'm eternally grateful it was diesel, otherwise I'd probably be dead.

 

Likewise, years ago on the way from Southern California to Las Vegas a similar sign said the same thing. Just past said sign there was a burned out Volkswagen Bug carcass. It was an old Bug with no possibility of air conditioning. There was just something wrong with the vehicle and the hill and the heat of the day took its toll. Gas leaking in the engine compartment...?

 

If people would be more considerate and not trash our highways with plastic shopping bags (a major culprit of these types of fires), we wouldn't have to deal with this. These bags get blown around and hung up on catalytic converters, exhaust pipes and mufflers etc.. They lead to very expensive fixes or total loss sometimes.

 

Hopefully you don’t work for that asshole anymore.

 

I’ve seen those get tangled up in the serpentine belts.

 

There was a plastic fuel filter sitting right above the distributor on old VW Bugs, fires could happen so it was always best to move that filter down below.

 

so looks like the bed is fine and didn't melt. they have to replace the rear trim panel on the backside of the cab as some of the insulation has melted. new rear glass. buff/polish next to the third brake light, and some clear coat restoration and other minor things. also one of the pressure vents needs to be replaced as half of it melted.

 

Glad it turned out ok! I have an extinguisher behind the rear drivers side seat in the little space next to the cubby hole. In NY you have to have one if you have the off road pass and they check from time to time when I'm wheeling.

I hope to never have to use it!